In judging the awards, the jury highlighted Studio Gang's Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, a building which was recognized for its participatory design process, as well as its "wood masonry" external walls, which provide a more sustainable alternative to other forms of masonry but also "stands apart from the move in architecture to lean on high-tech materials and 3-D printing."

"In the past social justice and social justice activism seems like it’s always happened in invisible places," explained Jeanne Gang, describing her design for the Arcus Center. "With this project there’s an actual building, something that embodies the idea of social justice in every way from its outside to its inside."

Similarly, Etchegaray was commended for the renovation of a Mezcal factory in Oaxaca into the Milagrito Mezcal Pavilion, a design which required "a detailed understanding of the production line to create means of making the production more efficient while maintaining the much revered artisanal process."

Norman Foster, one of the judges of the award, commented: "The impression you leave with is – wow, there is so much talent out there. And the younger generation of architects, as well as more established names, is impressive. The Women in ArchitectureAwards is a great initiative. There is such an extraordinary wealth of talent – and also there is a fresher perspective that is very much there."

The Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture includes a £10,000 prize fund, which will aid Gabriela Etchegaray in her continuing professional development.